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Decisions Made with the Father

As Jesus taught in the Temple, the Pharisees challenged his authority. They claimed he lacked a second witness. Then they were disarmed by this truth: He said boldly stated . . . “My decisions are made with the Father” . . .(John 8: 16 Eyewitness Stories).

Two Witnesses

Jesus said, “Even though I speak for myself, my testimony is still true . . . You judge from a fleshly perspective, but I do not judge like you. My judgment is true because my decisions are made with the Father who sent me” (John 8: 14-16 Eyewitness Stories).

The Pharisees objected [to what Jesus claimed], “All we have is your word on this. We need more than this to go on” (John 8: 13 The Message).

Jesus made more shocking statements to the Pharisees to validate himself. “Your own law says that if two people agree about something, their witness is accepted as fact. I am one witness, and my Father who sent me is the other” (John 8: 17,18 NLT).

Joy in Pleasing God

The Jewish leaders were really confused by Jesus’ defense. They knew they had him in the outlandish claim everyone heard – calling God his Father.

Jesus then said, “I’m not making this up, but speaking only what the Father taught me. The One who sent me stays with me. He doesn’t abandon me. He sees how much joy I take in pleasing him.” When he put it in these terms, many people [hearing him] decided to believe (John 8: 28b,29 The Message).

Jesus restated, his entire existence is to please the Father and his decisions are made with the Father.

Prayer: Father, stay with me as you did with Jesus. I want to be in the wonder of your Presence.

Questions: When was the last time you chose let your own words defend you? Did you need a witness? How can we as believers take joy in pleasing God? This should be our wholehearted task. How do we make it possible?